The Laid Off IT Guy! Have You Been Told That You Don't Have Industry Experience?

I’ve come so close to landing full-time IT Management roles that it isn’t even funny. I’ve been a finalist (top 3) for at least 6 jobs, and just keep missing the offer by a tiny bit. The only feedback that I can get out of the interviewer is that they selected the other candidate who had more industry-specific experience.

Have you been told that? Isn’t IT, IT? Every time, I try to make the case that the computer environments that I have supported are very similar to what I’d be managing with this new company. I admit that each industry has its own set of specific applications at which I’d have to become proficient, but that I’m a fast learner and willing to dedicate my time to doing so.

I guess that companies have so many candidates to choose from that they can be as picky as they want to be. They use the “industry experience” trump card like the flip of a coin to choose a candidate, it seems. With all else being equal, the person that has held a job in the same or similar field seems to have the edge over other well suited candidates.

That is great for the employer, but how about us candidates? I mean, I worked in a CPA firm most recently, but I don’t want to only be offered opportunities within other CPA firms. I think that I’d like to explore a career in the health care field, for example. Since I’ve never worked in a hospital, doctor’s office, medical device or pharmaceutical company before, should that mean that I’m not allowed to make that move?

It’s becoming a sore subject with me. I’d really like to hear from you to see if that is what you are seeing out there, as well. I hope not. Hopefully, you can pick a company that you want to work for, find an open slot, show that you are qualified for 90% or better of the job duties and commit yourself to continuing education for the rest.

Let me hear from you! Drop me a line to let me know what you are up to, and thanks for being a loyal “The Laid Off IT Guy” reader!